*Note: I kinda think the word 'stupid' is out of bounds, but it is a technical word and I hope none of you are offended. Nevertheless, I want your opinion on the matter before I actually use it. :D


Don't Give Up On Me

Rico had been staring at the untouched plate for while. He looked back down at his clean plate then back at the plate, with its contents just begging for him to take them...he was starting to think the egg and bacon were mocking him. He looked around cautiously and picked up his fork.

"Really?" His hand dashed back to his side and he looked up blankly at Kowalski. The latter raised a brow at him, arms crossed. "Are you that hungry?" Rico had already disposed of the fork and was quietly twiddling his thumbs. "You can't fool me. I saw you. Well," Kowalski huffed as he sat on the stool and picked up the utensils he had left, "Layla saw you first, but she told me right after."

What is he talking about?

Kowalski looked up at him after taking a few bites of his unfinished breakfast and downed his juice. "You gave your dinner to the dog."

Oh...

"She thinks it's sweet. But I say," the boy turned back to his breakfast, "that has got to be one of the worse things you could've done. For one, you don't ever miss out on Ma's cooking. If she finds out what you did, you'd probably be in detention by now. Lucky for you, I'm a nice person."

Oh really? Rico smirked in his mind as he remembered the 'conversation' they had yesterday. I wonder what's not nice to you...

The clatter of metal made him look at Kowalski, who had placed his utensils neatly on his plate and used a napkin to wipe at his mouth.

Really? This guy actually has manners...Rico held down a chuckle as Kowalski turned to him. The lanky kid gestured to the plate across from him, the one belonging to Skipper. "Help yourself."

What?

"We can't waste food, buddy. It's a rule here, and I'm very sure you know what happens when you don't follow rules. Besides, I was given specific instructions by Layla that she would come back if the table was cleared. And if you have eaten and not the dog." Rico blushed at that but he hid it as he reached for Skipper's plate. Kowalski watched the boy as he gingerly took the plate and swapped it with his own before turning his head and whistling. Rico paused in mid bite as Layla's head peeked around the corner. He blinked at the female in surprise and placed his fork down.

Wasn't she crying just minutes ago? But she was far from that. Well, her puffy lids and the red in her eyes said otherwise. Her cheeriness seemed to have dimmed down too, but at least her smile was genuine when bounced over to them. Shyly, she slipped into her seat, nodded at Rico and picked up her own fork.

Ohkay...Rico blinked and slowly went back to eating, keeping his eyes on Layla, who kept quiet as she continued to finish her food.

"So," Kowalski's voice came into his mind, but he still stared at her, "I say we go to the ice cream parlor first." Layla blinked and turned to Kowalski, making Rico do the same. "What do you think?"

"Ice cream? Like, right now?" Kowalski's ocean blue eyes gave off a glint as he nodded.

"Yup."

"Really? With pizza and everything? Especially pizza. I need pizza."

"Come on," Kowalski chuckled, "I have to do something with the money I'm earning."

Layla was about to say something, but a thought came across her and she frowned. "But I thought you were saving to buy a microscope?"

"Ice cream, and pizza," Layla's eyes grew wide at that and she nodded, earning a chuckle from Kowalski, "are important too. Besides, I still have my pass to the local school laboratory. I can use that."

"As long as you don't blow it up again, right?"

"I do not..." Layla crossed her arms. "Okay, maybe..." She raised her brow. "Right."

"But," the smile came back on her face, "are you really serious? I mean, I know you don't make jokes or they're usually lame, but are you kidding me?"

"That was just mean." Kowalski rolled his eyes. "But yeah."

"Yay!" Layla squealed and threw her arms around him. "Thank you! Wait," Layla leaned back and looked back at Rico, "Rico's coming too, right?"

"I don't really think-"

"Please? I promised Ma I'd take him on a tour today, so he has to come. Oh pretty please, Deany! Please? I'm making an effort here! Please?"

Kowalski rolled his eyes again. "Fine, dama."

"YAY! Thank you!" Layla squealed and clapped her hands excitedly before continuing at her breakfast with gusto. Rico stared at her wide eyed, then at Kowalski who was a little surprised himself, until the latter shrugged and placed his plate in the dishwasher.


After the table was cleared and the dishes were all in the dishwasher, Kowalski and Rico, who was forced by the former to help him out with the chore, turned to the unsuspecting Layla. The girl was done braiding her hair and was checking herself out in the reflection of the toaster before swirling about to face the two, back in her preppy mood.

"To the garage, men! Our freedom awaits!" Freedom? Rico raised a brow at the girl, but she was already gone. Intrigued, he followed her, only to be stopped by a hand. It pulled him back so hard that his back hit the counter. He winced at the sharp pain but it turned into a frown at the smirk on Kowalski's face.

"I was being nice to you because she was watching, okay? But we don't need you thinking like you own the place, because you don't. I will take action against you."

I doubt you can swing that puny thing you call an arm, man.

"Guyzzzz!" Layla dragged out the word in annoyance. "Come awn! I want pizza!"

"We're not even close to being acquaintances, so don't even think about doing anything." He turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Glad that's covered, bud. I didn't notice that the first time...Rico rolled his eyes and followed him.

"So, Rico." Rico blinked and looked to his left to see Layla grinning at him. How did she get there? I thought- "Do you know how to ride a bike?"

Rico stared at her like she was crazy, which she probably was. How did she make me cooperate with her yesterday?

"Or roller skates? Or a scooter?" She continued with her head tilted, watching him like a curious bird would a worm. "Or anything with wheels?"

Wheels? Uh, you don't happen to see a car around here, do you? It's gonna be my 'Just In Case' vehicle. Rico merely shrugged and Layla pouted and tapped her lip.

"Hmm...I say scooter. It's the easiest thing to ride, anyway. Anyone can do it, even you. Come on," she grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, "I want to show you something."

His cheeks turned red as he stared, flustered, at the hand holding his. He ignored the questioning look Kowalski gave him as they passed the boy and went to a door. She let go of his hand, walked down the steps and flicked a switch, letting the place flood in light.

Rico blinked and stared around the room in amazement. He was in a garage, but it wasn't the room itself that caught his eye. More like the amount of 'wheels' in it. There were bikes, scooters, roller skates, even ice skates hanging from hooks on the wall. Assorted sports equipment litter about neatly, like hockey sticks, footballs of both kinds, a table tennis table and many more.

"I know right." Layla's voice chirped beside him and it took all of Rico's will not to scream out. "Ma's a total sports buff. Come on!" She gestured forward as she skipped toward the door on the other side of the room. "Outside is this way!" She sang before swinging the door open. "Hellow, Sunshine! Miss me?" Kowalski shook his head with a grin and followed after her. "Ooh! Puppy! It's soooo cute!" A tiny bark followed by giggles was heard from outside, compelling Rico to go out.

He was about to take a step outside when Mack's face dropped into his mind. The smile that managed to creep onto him disappeared and was replaced with a fearful frown. Is Mack going to be outside? He's definitely searching for me...The boy swallowed and took a step back, looking down at the ground. I can't...if he finds me...but, they promised, didn't they? The cop and his friends? They told me that Mack was in the hospital, very, very far away from here. Can I really just step out without having to worry? Rico blinked as another thought crossed his mind. What if this was a trick to see if I would run away? What IF I do run away? Are they going to drag me back here?

"Something wrong?" Rico blinked and looked up, then turned around to see Skipper leaning on the doorway heading back into the hallway. Skipper stared back at him, before pushing off and walking to him. "You're not going out?" Rico took a step back away from him and narrowed his eyes.

So this is a trick...

"I don't see what's holding you back." Rico just continued glaring at him. "Or are you just scared?" Hands curled by his sides and Skipper's eyes drifted down to them. "You really don't want to do that." He spoke with a grin slowly making its way on his face.

"Hey, why are you..." Kowalski came back into the room but paused when he saw Skipper. "And what are you doing here?"

Skipper turned his attention from Rico to Kowalski. "Will you tell me what happened back there?"

The lanky kid shook his head, already ignoring Rico. "That's none of your business, McGrath."

"Kowalski," the boy spoke in a tired tone, "I went into her room, and found her diary."

"You did what?!"


Pardon, my friends, if my Polish is bad, but that's what I got from Google translate. X'D ROFL. Okay, okay, it's just one word, (dama = lady) but I just don't like it when I get something wrong. It's a horrible feeling. In any cases though, I blame Google. If not, I'm still a great person. XD

Comment about the word I've stated in the AN above. Thank you. :)

~Out~